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CalMac Ferries Ltd negotiated a time charter for the MV Arrow with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for the 8 weeks, commencing 24 July and terminating on 9 September 2021. Whilst operating the overnight Ullapool – Stornoway freight service, 70 sailings were undertaken by the MV Arrow. The freight carried on these sailings amounted to 1,109 commercial vehicle units.

The Just Transition Plan for energy will be an integral part of the Energy Strategy Refresh which is due for draft publication in Spring 2022.

We expect NHS Boards to adhere to current guidelines on the treatment options from authorative sources such as The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines - Diagnosis and management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults. (SIGN Guideline No 121) . Further information is also available on NHS Inform website . We also work closely with third sector organisation such as Versus Arthritis.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02907 on 28 September 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Government understands that those with long term health conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may also need support to deal with the impact this may have on their mental wellbeing.

GPs or local healthcare teams are best placed to offer further advice or treatment if needed and we’d advise people to contact their GP if they have concerns. Further information outlining this is available on our NHS Inform website at NHS Inform.

Improving timely access to local care and support for mental health is an existing priority. As of 1 January 2021, through action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 and the Primary Care Improvement Fund, 193 additional Mental Health Worker posts have been created in GP settings.

We’ve also made a longer term commitment that by 2026, every GP Practice will have access to a mental health and wellbeing service, funding 1,000 additional dedicated staff who can help grow community mental health resilience and offer social prescribing opportunities on a wide range of different community based services such as arts and cultural activities, green space and physical activity and leisure etc.

Later this year, and on the basis of local plans submitted by Integration Authorities, we will start providing funding to begin national implementation of a new model for Mental Health in Primary Care.

As previously stated the scope of the review involves analysis of the legal constraints and governance arrangements of the existing Tripartite structure of Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and David MacBrayne Limited (including its subsidiaries). Once the final report has been considered by Ministers, there will be engagement with all key stakeholders including trade unions.

The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) and Northern Isles ferry Service (NIFS) operators will always try to ensure that fresh produce freight is moved quickly and effectively. At times of disruption and cancellation they seek to prioritise or move freight hauliers onto alternative sailings or on other routes where possible.

Where feasible on networks, additional or alternative sailings can provide extra capacity on disrupted routes and vessels are often redeployed from around the network to maximise overall resilience. Consideration of appropriate responses to cancellations and disruption on other ferry routes, such as the Irish Sea crossings, are a matter for the operators of these services.

Since August 2021, there have been nine Cabinet Secretaries (including the Deputy First Minister), and 17 junior Ministers.

The following table sets out the numbers of (a) Cabinet Secretaries (Ministers appointed under section 47 of the Scotland Act 1998) and (b) junior Ministers (appointed under section 49 of the same Act) in each year since 1999, with the dates from which any changes were made:

Following the election, the First Minister chose to appoint a special adviser to work on behalf of her and the Deputy First Minister across government, and with stakeholders, to ensure delivery at pace of the key transformational aspects of the Scottish Government’s programme. The role reports directly to First Minister and works alongside and in partnership with the First Minister's Chief of Staff. The role provides leadership of the work of other Special Advisers in the team as required.

The position of Strategic Policy and Political Adviser was filled on 23 August 2021. Special advisers are temporary civil servants appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

The First Minister’s former Chief of Staff resigned on the suspension of parliament for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election in line with the Special Advisers Code of Conduct and ceased receiving a salary at that point.

Salary bands for current Special Advisers, including the Strategic Policy and Political Adviser, can be found in the answer to S6W-00255 answered on 23 August 2021. In line with GDPR requirements the Scottish Government publishes the number of special advisers in each salary band and does not provide personal data such as specific salary levels or comparative salary levels.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02466 on 28 September 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers